The European Association of Science Editors (EASE) is an internationally oriented community of individuals from diverse backgrounds, linguistic traditions and professional experience who share an interest in science communication and editing.

EASE Toolkit for Authors

Guidelines and Resources for Scientific Writing & Publishing
for early career and less experienced researchers

This Toolkit is designed to help published and unpublished researchers become respected members of the international scientific community by improving their ability to publish articles in peer reviewed scientific journals. It was prepared particularly for junior researchers from non-English speaking, or developing countries and aims to increase authors’ confidence in writing and submitting articles.

It consists of modules, each phrased in terms of a key need (e.g., how to identify the most appropriate journal for a paper, how to prepare a publishable manuscript and how to negotiate the peer review process). Some modules also suggest resources from a variety of books, articles, websites and other sources.

The Toolkit is sponsored by a variety of organizations, including the European Association of Science Editors and the International Society of Addiction Journal Editors.

The Library of Alexandria and the University of Pittsburgh have established a free website (the Science Supercourse), to help researchers develop publication and presentation skills.

The British Ecological Society have produced a guide for early career researchers which explains how to get published, with advice on selecting the right journal, writing effectively and dealing with decision letters. The guide is available to download for free here.

Module 8. How to use citations effectively, efficiently and appropriately
Citations enable verification of statements and acknowledgment of previous research. This module describes proper use and common abuses of citations. It discusses how to get cited. Finally, it analyses the limits of the Impact Factor.

Module 11. How to resolve ethical dilemmas
This module is devoted to ethical issues that arise in the context of scientific research and publishing, including carelessness in citing and reviewing the literature; redundant publication; failure to declare a conflict of interest; unfair authorship; plagiarism and scientific fraud. The resources in this module assist ethical decision-making. Case studies are used to illustrate seven ethical topics, with a commentary on each case provided to demonstrate a practical approach to making sound decisions.

Module 13. How to be an effective referee
This module describes the peer review process, what journal editors expect from reviewers, and how to prepare a critical but constructive review.

Module 14. How to write an essay (a guide for college students)
This module helps students succeed with college-level writing assignments. It outlines how to brainstorm, draft, and revise papers, outlines common grammatical errors and offers a list of other valuable web resources.

Reviews

The second edition of the EASE Handbook for Science Editors not only manages to depict the current landscape of science editing and publishing in all its facets, it also accomplishes the task that it set itself, namely to provide important, comprehensive guidance to editors on how to navigate this landscape. It is a Must Read for any new science editor and publishing professional and an invaluable reference work for many an old hand.

The Handbook is well written and easily understandable. Surely, the Handbook achieves its aim thoroughly and very well in its content which will definitely encourage good editorial and publishing practices to keep up with trends in the rapidly changing environment of scientific publishing world.